Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Publishers Lunch

Vice president and publisher of WaterBrook and Multnomah Alex Field is leaving the company in September to
start an author-consulting business. Crown has begun searching for his
successor. Publisher for Christian Publishing Tina Constable writes, "He
has been a true partner in helping me position WaterBrook and Multnomah for the
future.... Alex is a man of deep faith, and his in-depth knowledge of the
Christian landscape combined with his joyful spirit and exuberant smile will be
missed by all."

Poet Dionne Brand
has been named to the newly-created position of poetry editor at McClelland
& Stewart.

If you haven't read it yet, NY Magazine has a detailed
Kremlinology on Michiko
Kakutani's departure from the NYT, concluding "If Kakutani
jumped, there was a wind at her back."

They report: "According to two sources, Kakutani asked if she could write
a political column for the Times. Because of the solid wall between news and
opinion at the paper, that would have meant leaving her job. Others speculate
it could have been some kind of plum writer-at-large job, including a Times
magazine contract. The confidant says that writing outside the book section was
'something she wanted to do more of — just anything you can think of, except
food.'.... Whatever it was she was looking for at the Times, it wasn't
available. Under all these circumstances — a new boss demanding uncomfortable
levels of team spirit, a lateral promotion denied — the buyout is perceived by
some Times staff members as something short of completely voluntary."

Corporate
Publisher All Due
Respect has become part of Tampa-based Down & Out Books.
Publisher and executive editor Chris Rhatigan will continue to oversee the
line, while partner Mike Monson "is stepping away" from the business.

OverDrive
announced it has been certified as a B
Corporation, which "acknowledges the company's commitment
to creating exceptional positive social and environmental impact."

InitiativesBarnes & Noble has launched the B&N Podcast, featuring conversations with top
authors six to eight times a month.

Harper Christian
has paired with self-publishing service providers Accurance and Fast Pencil to
create a self-publishing "imprint," Elm Hill. Director of publishing
services for HarperChristian Pete Nikolai is also publisher of Elm Hill. The
site claims to offer a "never-been-done-before experience," in part
by "leveraging HarperCollins Christian Publishing's outstanding sales and
distribution." Packages range
from $1,399 to $8,999; the distribution option is available to those paying
$6,799 or more, but the "notable
channels" they work with are primarily online stores and wholesalers.
For $3,500, you can take online courses in book marketing to become what they
call a Professional Certified Author (which, in the old days, is what we called
a writer who got paid by someone to license and publish their work).